Arsenal legend Thierry Henry calls time on his illustrious career

If the searing pace, outrageous skill or devastating shooting doesn't, the playground grin of a small boy playing for some of the biggest prizes should.

If you were a Premier League defender between 1999 and 2007 then you saw it at some point.

It's still there too - and it's the reason Thierry Henry can walk into a TV studio and laugh along warmly with the likes of Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp about how he used to destroy them on the pitch.

You can't imagine many former players being able to do that. Rivalries die hard and bad blood lingers.

But Henry was different.

LEGEND: Thierry Henry scored over 220 goals for Arsenal in over 370 games [GETTY]

He was the dominant striker of his day, certainly. The three-time Footballer of the Year's 175 Premier League goals, two titles, three FA Cups, four Golden Boots, and Invincibles season prove that.

But he was popular too. His rivals respected him. But they liked him as well. So did most football supporters - unless they were Tottenham fans. Or Irish.

His infamous handball for France remains the one big black mark against him.

But Henry was always much more likely to make you smile than he was to make you angry.

ACE: Henry now has a statue outside the Emirates Stadium [GETTY]

The same can't really be said for the likes of Luis Suarez, or even Cristiano Ronaldo, two greats who came after him.

That's why he'll be remembered differently.

If not as the best centre forward the Premier League has ever seen, then surely as the most complete.

Alan Shearer scored more goals. But Henry could hurt you in more ways. He had more weapons in his armoury.

STAR: The French star won seven trophies in his time with Arsenal [GETTY]

Some of the goals are unforgettable. The flick, turn and volley that soared into the top corner against Manchester United or the audacious backheel against Charlton.

But so is the smile. And it's contagious. Spend any time in his company and you will probably be smiling too.

That should come across in his punditry as well now he's turned his attention to TV.

Sky Sports will certainly hope so, because if Henry can bring a little bit of happiness back to a 'beautiful game' currently mired in cheating, corruption and scandal, he could turn out to be the signing of the season.